Last Thursday, the Delta Stewardship Council (Council) revealed the seven alternatives it will analyze for its Environmental Impact Report (EIR) on the Delta Plan. In addition to the proposed Delta Plan project, the EIR will also analyze an alternative based on “California Water Solutions Now” a report and plan developed by the Environmental Water Caucus, as well as an alternative presented by the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA).

Several Council members signaled that they may be looking to combine the best elements from several alternatives. PCL’sJonas Mintonand the Bay Institute’s Gary Bobker both noted that while they disagreed with some significant portions of ACWA’s alternative, there were other recommendations worthy of discussion. It was also clear that the Council is not going to take a position on any new Delta conveyance (e.g. canal, tunnel or pipeline) until the Bay Delta Conservation Plan finishes the current round of its work.